The cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria has become increasingly burdensome, with the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealing a 1.9% increase in July 2024.
The average cost of a healthy diet per adult per day now stands at N1,265, up from N1,241 in June 2024.
A regional breakdown of the data shows significant disparities in the cost of a healthy diet across the country.
The South West region has the highest average cost at N1,581 per adult per day, while the North West region has the lowest at N956 per adult per day.
These figures exclude additional expenses such as transportation and meal preparation.
The steady rise in the cost of a healthy diet is particularly concerning, as it has outpaced both general inflation and food inflation in recent months.
This trend poses a significant challenge for many Nigerians, who are already struggling to make ends meet amidst the country’s economic uncertainty.
Nigeria’s high inflation rates, with headline inflation at 33.40% and food inflation at 39.53% in July 2024, further exacerbate the issue.
The situation demands attention from policymakers and stakeholders to address the underlying factors driving the increasing cost of a healthy diet and ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable and nutritious food.
